Chapter 1

Kat was sitting at the bar leaner by herself enjoying her vodka, watching Scott and his crew a little way off playing pool, drinking heavily and mucking around with some just as drunk girls…again. This was the norm for Scott and his gang, it was no wonder he wasn’t very successful, he didn’t actually want to do anything himself. He was lazy, entitled and if it wasn’t for the little psychotic nasty streak in him Kat doubted he would be the leader of anything. She huffed and took a sip of her drink as she felt the air around her shift and a heavenly scent invade her nostrils.

“Why do I always find you sitting alone?” A deep commanding voice said behind her.

Kat smiled, recognising the voice and the glorious scent that suddenly surrounded her, she had hoped he would show up again, she liked his voice and his scent…he intrigued her. So he’s a vampire…Ruben Luisetti, Overlord of the Vampires here in New York City.

“Because I prefer it to their company” Kat answered with amusement, her eyes never leaving Scott. “…oh, and I’m not allowed to talk to you.”

“Is that so?” Ruben sounded amused, a deep little chuckle coming up from deep in his throat almost like a purr.

“Apparently…” Kat smiled softly and looked at her glass as she felt tiny little shivers at the sound. No one had ever given her shivers before.

“You’re not going to do as you’re told though, are you?” He asked like he was sending her a challenge to be rebel.

“It wasn’t a direct order, so hardly…if they want to leave me alone, I’ll talk to whoever I like.”

“Good girl, I’m glad, because I’ve come to like our little chats.” Kat shuddered when he said ‘good girl’ and she heard him chuckle again like he had noticed the effect his voice had on her.

“Well, you just stay sitting behind me and we can keep talking without me getting any backlash.” Kat answered, not wanting him to leave like he usually did. A couple of words breathed into her ear and he was gone up until now…this was the longest he had actually hung around to speak to her.

She knew Scott hadn’t given her a direct order to stay away from this vampire Lord – Ruben Luisetti, because he actually wanted the chance to discipline her. A direct order would invoke the power of the collar and there would be no way she could disobey then, Scott wanted her to disobey…she grimaced as her large bright green eyes lifted back up to stare at Scott once more. It wasn’t like he was an ugly guy or anything, but what did that matter when he just used the power of the collar to make her do things to him anyway…

“Backlash?” She heard Ruben growl in distain.

Kat stayed silent and sipped her drink, but she leaned back on her stool until she hit something solid. It was Ruben’s shoulder. She heard him growl again under his breath, more husky this time.

“Are you flirting with me?” His voice sounded so delectable as he talked behind her ear sending more of those little shivers of delight through her. “Or are you drunk?” He chuckled amused.

“Hardly…couldn’t dare be seen flirting with anyone, let alone a Vampire…Scott would kill me so I guess that means I’m drunk.” Kat smirked. “Yeah…I’m pretty drunk…” She was, she had almost consumed a whole bottle of straight vodka.

“Hmm.” Ruben rumbled amused. “So he told you who I was…because you had no idea, did you?”

“No, not at all.” Kat chuckled to herself. “I’m not from around here…”

“And now that you know?”

Kat shrugged. “What do I care what or who you are…it’s nice that you talk to me…because Scott won’t and everyone else is too scared to.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Hard not to.”

“What are you?” Ruben breathed in her ear again. The presence of him hovering over her back and shoulder was intense and filled with the strong controlling aura of a true leader.

Kat leaned forward again and put her elbows on the table, but Ruben turned in his seat behind her and leaned over to her, just as some people walked in front of her and stood in the middle of the room blocking her view of Scott and his men. Ruben wrapped his arms around Kat’s waist and dropped his chin over her shoulder, whispering directly in her ear. “Why do you let him treat you like that?”

Kat’s breath hitched as his hands connected with her skin. She was wearing a t-shirt that was cropped and left her mid-drift bare, showing off her defined abdominal muscles. She leaned back into him, there was something so intriguing about this man, and his divine smell. He sent butterflies racing through her body and she pressed her thighs together. Kat turned her head and their eyes briefly met, he was grinning wickedly like he knew the effect he was having on her. She was transfixed before Ruben let her go, achingly slowly, his fingers dancing over her waist and then trailing up her back as he turned away again just as the people in front moved away. Kat had to wonder if Ruben hadn’t set that whole scene up as an opportunity to grope her. She wasn’t complaining, but now she felt bereft of his strange warmth. He was cold, but made her feel warm, deep in her core. She had to admit that if she wasn’t Scott’s property for the duration of this current contract, she would pursue Ruben with curiosity. He had such amazing ice blue eyes, made more intense by the long black hair framing his face. Kat noticed one of Scott’s men walking over to her.

“Oh shit.” Kat muttered.

“Scott wants to talk to you…over there.” The guy said brusquely as he stared at Ruben’s back.

“Fine, whatever.” Kat said rolling her eyes as she stood up. She felt a hand grab hers and she gasped in shock. Ruben had reached out behind himself and was holding her hand, discreetly. He squeezed it briefly, his thumb pressing against the vein in her wrist for a moment and let it go.

“Be seeing you.” He muttered without turning around.

Kat walked off over to where Scott was sitting in a booth to the side of the pool tables with two women, one on either side. Both wearing very little clothing and heavily made up.

“Kitty Kat, about time…what did I tell you?”

“You’re going to have to be more specific, Scott.” Kat said folding her arms.

Scott sat up and shooed the other women away, suddenly angry. “I order you to sit down!” He ordered, pointing to the space beside him. An intricate looking weave of arcane symbols flashed up around Kat’s neck as the order ignited the contract and she sat down next to him. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her face round to his as she grimaced against the pain. She placed her hands on his chest, as he leaned over her, and looked up into his eyes. Those cold dark eyes. He was good looking and worked out and never had any trouble picking up women, which is why Kat wished he would just leave her to do her job, but that nasty streak that lived in his psyche was never going to allow that…he desired to try and break her.

“I told you not to speak to that fucking Vampire, do you think I’m blind?”

“No.” Kat said through gritted teeth as he grabbed her chin harshly with his other hand, his fingers and thumb digging into her cheeks.

“But you took it upon yourself to disobey me.”

“It wasn’t an order…and he just said hello and I told him I wasn’t allowed to speak to him.”

“That better be the truth.” Scott grumbled, searching her eyes.

“I swear it is…” Kat had to fight to not roll her eyes at him, that always made him worse.

“Fine, well I’m going…so make your own way back home, you can take the car.” He dropped his car keys into her lap.

“You’re going with those girls?” Kat grimaced with distaste.

“Jealous?” Scott grinned as he held her face close to his and licked up her chin. She shuddered in revulsion.

“Not really…have fun.” Kat grimaced and tried to turn away as Scott leaned in and kissed her, forcing his tongue into her mouth. He dropped his hand down to her breast and squeezed it playfully, rubbing her nipple with his thumb, as it stiffened under his touch he let her go, laughing. “Don’t know why you don’t just admit you’re attracted to me.” He said with a smug smirk. She stood up and glowered at him. Anybody will react to that!

“Hardly.” This time she did roll her eyes at him, his eyes narrowed like he was storing that away for later.

“So are you leaving now?” Scott asked, looking at her expectantly.

Kat looked at him. “Why? Do you want me to?”

“With that fucking Vampire here sniffing around you like you’re some bitch on heat…yes, I order you to.”

“Fine.” Kat rolled her eyes again as the collar lit up once more and put her leather jacket on, stuffed her hands in her pockets and walked out of the club. As she did she felt different eyes upon her, she turned and saw Ruben watching her carefully. He raised his glass at her as she smiled at him and left. He really was handsome…perfectly sculptured and she wondered just what was under that trim tailored three piece suit he always wore. Once she was outside she walked across the street to the carpark where Scott had parked the car in an empty lot.

She couldn’t wait for this contract to be finished. He was one of the worst, he was an egotistical psychopath with increasing his power hold on the city the only goal, except for the fun he had abusing her at every opportunity he had and partying every second of the day and night.

She wondered if he abused her because deep down he felt threatened by her strength, emasculated…it didn’t matter, she would endure and enjoy the moment when she got to fulfil the contract and collect his soul. It wasn’t any different to how her Lord Lord Basille treated her in the Demon Realm anyway, she was used to it.

Her thoughts drifted to the sexy vampire, now that was one individual she could enjoy being owned by. He was cock sure, dominant and arrogantly confident, but on him it was sexy as hell. The way he always spoke to her…only a few brief sentences, always asking her how she was, always showing concern…it was something she had never really experienced before. No one ever showed concern for her, why would they…she was a demon after all. Were all vampires like that, she had never really had much to do with them…but something told her this vampire was definitely extra.

Her thoughts drifted back to Scott again as she crunched across the gravel of the carpark, and the power he had over her to order her to do anything he wanted, and she had to obey an order…it was in the contract, thanks to Basille…her Demon Lord.

“Fuck him.” She muttered as she walked up to the Camaro and went to unlock it. She heard a strange noise and suddenly she felt something hit her on the side of the head. She staggered back and felt hands grab her wrists, pulling them behind her back. Someone else stuffed a gag into her mouth to prevent her uttering any magic and she was tackled to the ground by more than one guy as she struggled strongly against them. She almost slaughtered them immediately by calling the shadows, but resisted the urge…she wanted to know who the hell had the audacity to try and kidnap a demon?

Once they had her hands and feet tied they picked her up and threw her in the back of the van that was parked conveniently next to the Camaro.

No wonder she hadn’t heard or seen them approach, they had lain in wait for her, but how did they know she would be out there alone…? Had she been set up…by Scott!?